Rebels edged by Westridge, 10-8

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Whether Flintridge Prep or Westridge, all eyes were on the doubles matchup of Christina Yu and Annie Zaro and Grace Pa and Alyssa Sugemoto.

With Westridge clinging to a slim one-set lead, a Flintridge Prep win would tie the match on sets and give the Rebels a win on games. But it wasn’t to be, as Westridge prevailed, 10-8, in Thursday’s Prep League match at Scholl Canyon.

Shortly after the match, Rebels Coach Katie Hawkins was quick to tell Zaro and Yu that it wasn’t their set alone that swung the match, the Rebels were all in it together.

Nonetheless, it was no doubt losing the close sets that proved to be the Rebels’ undoing.

“Just closing out those sets is killing us,” said Hawkins, who saw Zaro and Yu’s last set lost 6-4, the third Rebels loss by that score.

The Rebels also lost a 7-6 set.

Flintridge Prep (4-5, 1-3 in league) will face Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy today, looking to reverse the fortunes of this week, which saw them lose to Mayfield, 13-5, as well. Three sets in that match were decided by two games or less.

“We had an excellent practice [Wednesday], we were preparing mentally,” Hawkins said. “I felt ready and I felt the girls were ready.”

One girl who wasn’t ready was Mika Chandramohan, who was out with a concussion. She’s one half of the usual No. 1 doubles team with Gina Kim.

Teny Geragos and Erin McDonnell picked up the slack in the top spot, though, sweeping, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

“Those two seniors came out ready to win and they just totally did it,” Hawkins said.

And as has become the norm for the Rebels, No. 1 singles player Kira Lee swept, 6-1, 6-0, 6-0.

“We are liking her consistency and contributions very much,” Hawkins grinned.